Produced in 1953, the Submariner was first unveiled in 1954 at The Basel Watch Fair. The model comes in Oystersteel, white & yellow gold, and two-tone metals with date and no date variants. Made famous by James Bond films, this iconic sports watch has a 40mm case size and functions as a dive watch. The suggested retail price starts at $7,500 as of 2019. To view our full list of models available visit our used Rolex watches for sale page.
Cash wire prices shown. Prices may be higher if other payment methods are selected.*
The Iconic Rolex Submariner
One of the most recognizable faces in the Rolex catalog, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner made its debut at the Basel Swiss Watch Fair in 1954 with the launch of reference numbers 6200, 6204, and 6205. Built for durability and their resistance to water and corrosion, the Submariner is part of a line of sports watches designed by Rolex specifically for the diving community.
Key Features
While the overall design of the Rolex Submariner has changed slightly over the years, there are still vital components that have remained unchanged.
Bezel: when the Submariner reference 6204 made its debut in 1954, it featured a bi-directional rotating bezel. The aluminum bezel insert boasted 60-minute graduations and a distinct arrow marker at the 12-position, allowing for divers to time their expeditions with accuracy. Eventually, Rolex improved upon their original design and made the bezel unidirectional. This was an extremely important upgrade, as it allowed time to move forward only, never backward – a feature that is invaluable during deep saturation dives where every second can matter.
Waterproof case: when you are diving, you need to be confident that water will not get into your watch. That's where Rolex's patented Oyster case comes in. Rolex developed the world's first waterproof case and put it through one of the most rigorous tests of all time - strapping their waterproof Rolex to the hull of Auguste Piccard's bathyscaphe Trieste during its 3,000m descent. While the first Rolex Submariner available for commercial use could remain waterproof down to 200m, improvements made throughout the years have made the new Rolex Submariner 116610 remain waterproof to a depth of 300m.
Oyster bracelet: one of the most recognizable features on the Rolex Submariner is their patented Oyster bracelet. Throughout its 70+ year history, the bracelet style has remained unchanged. Built for durability, comfort, and functionality, modern Rolex Oyster bracelets come equipped with an adjustable clasp that easily enables divers to wear their watch over their wetsuit.
To learn more about the history of the Rolex Submariner, how to best care for your Submariner, and other fun facts about this iconic dive watch, you can visit our watch resources page.